10 Gender-Neutral Nursery Ideas

If you’re preparing the nest for a new arrival and have resist finding out the gender of baby, you may be in need of some nursery decorating inspiration. Or perhaps you simply aren’t excited by traditional colors? Either way, forget outmoded ideas of blue for boys and pink for girls and make life easier by choosing a color scheme that will suit either gender. With a clever use of paint, prints and accessories, you can create a room you’ll feel proud to bring your baby home to and that will work for your family for years to come.

Introduce subdued pattern. A nursery decked out in bold printed wallpaper might not sound conducive to a peaceful space, but rest your eyes on this pale palette and see how the star pattern whispers “chic” thanks to the subtle beige. Quiet lullabies in the comfy rocking chair might make sleepless nights feel a little easier, too.

Throw some shapes. Get crafty with stencils and create some original artwork for your baby to gaze at. Geometric shapes are easy enough to DIY and combine well with other patterns, such as this tropical print chair. Avoid things becoming too busy by restricting the rest of your furniture to white-painted and plain pieces.

Run with an animal theme. Take inspiration from this pale and interesting nursery, which features a low-key giraffe theme requiring an eagle eye to notice each thoughtful detail. Such a subtle scheme would suit both boys and girls and could easily be embellished with colorful elements to suit your growing child.

Stick ’em up. For parents-to-be in need of quick makeover solutions, or those creating a nursery in a rented house, wall decals could be a clever choice. Available in a vast range of designs, they’re so quick to apply you could even wait until your baby is born to choose an image that suits them. Just unpeel, stick and go!

Weave in printed fabrics. Soften a plain room by introducing pretty printed materials on blinds, bed linens, upholstery or curtains. Stripes, gingham and polka dots are classic unisex designs that work well in nurseries. Fabric bunting also can be strung up high, out of reach of little hands, to bring a touch of frivolity and fun.

Preserve your interior style. For those allergic to bright colors and busy patterns, look beyond the paint shades typically associated with gender-neutral nurseries (such as yellow and green) and instead choose versatile sludgy shades, such as taupe or gray, more complementary to the rest of your home. Pair with a white cot, pastel accessories and soft muslin curtains for an understated nursery you’ll be happy to spend time in.

Energize with accents. This nursery is a master class in how to use accent colors effectively. White walls and warm wooden furniture sit beautifully alongside a patterned kilim rug and powder blue shutters. Touches of fire engine red add glorious contrast to complete this striking scheme with unisex appeal. For a new look, all you have to do is swap in different accessories.

Choose clever colors. Duck-egg blue is a soothing shade with just the right amount of saturation to add interest to a room without shouting for attention. It suits both genders and can be introduced in layers, like this baseboard and matching blanket, to create a contemporary nursery you won’t quickly tire of.

Be bold — on one wall. If you can’t resist graphic prints but fear overwhelming your nursery (not to mention yourself during those 4 a.m. feeds), restrict pattern to one wall. This bright Squiggle wallpaper sets off the dark floor and white cot to create a modern space with bags of personality.

Repurpose existing pieces. An economical and elegant way to furnish your new nursery is to incorporate furniture and accessories from elsewhere in your home. This sweet space uses midcentury pieces alongside a simple cot and Oriental rug. A vintage chest of drawers serves as a useful changing table with extra storage. It’s practical, gender-neutral and stylish all at the same time.